Stay off the St. Johns River if possible

For immediate release: October 18, 2011
Media contacts: Officer Lenny Salberg, 352-427-6728
                           or Joy Hill, 352-258-3426

Stay off the St. Johns River if possible

Due to high water levels in the St. Johns River associated with recent rains, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking boaters to stay off populated areas of the river until the waters recede.

Primarily affected are populated portions in Volusia, Seminole and Orange counties. Most areas in Brevard County are rural and wooded and will not be negatively affected. However, problems could arise in the canal systems of lakes Poinsett and Washington.

Although water levels have not yet reached flood stage, officials feel they probably will in some areas. Once flood stage is reached, emergency idle speed, no wake zones go into effect automatically in portions of the river. The locations of these mandatory emergency idle speed, no wake zones and flood stages can be found online at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/serfc/index.php.

In the meantime, unless it is absolutely necessary, the FWC urges boaters to avoid the river in affected populated areas. Submerged objects pose a navigation hazard and boats create wakes that can cause property damage, which is more likely during periods of high water. Boaters are responsible for any damage caused by their boat’s wake.

FWC officers will be maintaining a proactive presence in populated affected areas in an attempt to slow vessels down by enforcing wake laws.